Enigmatic Stone Age Antler Carvings Were Finger Grips for Spear Throwers, Study Suggests

While many researchers believed a set of puzzling artifacts found in French archaeological sites to be ornaments or clothing, Justin Garnett had a different perspective. Garnett, a doctoral candidate in anthropology at the University of Kansas, said that these semi-circles resemble finger loops used by spear throwers.

In the paper, titled "Exploring the Possible Function of Paleolithic Open Rings as Spearthrower Finger Loops" published in the Journal of Paleolithic Archaeology, Garnett explores the hypothesis that these open-ringed objects, made of antlers, were finger loops utilized in prehistoric weapon systems.

Identifying the Real Purpose of the Finger Loops

Unable to test the original items, Garnett created replicas of the distinct omega-shaped devices using antler, bone, and 3D-printed plastic. These replicas were then attached to reconstructed spearthrowers for experimental purposes.

According to the news release, Garnett used the 3D-printed versions to gather larger sample sizes to examine the comfort and functionality of the replicas. For the actual experiment, elk antler was used as a substitute for the original material, reindeer antler.

The replicas were employed to throw darts designed for hunting, as they were heavy enough to cause damage and had shorter ranges compared to spears meant for long-distance throws.

This finger loop artifacts date back to the European Upper Paleolithic period, specifically the Badegoulian phase, which predates the previously confirmed presence of spearthrowers by approximately 5,000 to 6,000 years. Garnett considers this shift in timeline significant in understanding the origins of this technology.

While acknowledging that the artifacts' shape could serve multiple purposes, Garnett believes there is a high probability, in the range of 90%, that they were indeed finger loops for spear-throwing.

The close resemblance to antler finger loops and their association with other spearthrower parts found in the same archaeological sites contribute to the strength of his hypothesis, which is supported by the available evidence.

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Who Are Spear Throwers?

Spear throwers, also known as atlatls, are tools used by hunters in the Paleolithic period. As per Live Science, these tools consist of a wooden shaft with a hook or spur at the end, allowing users to throw long darts with precision and at high speeds. The weapon was widely used by hunters approximately 20,000 years ago and provided advantages over other hunting tools.

Garnett spent a year throwing darts from the spearthrowers at deer and pig carcasses. He found that the open rings served well as finger loops and may have been more durable than loops made from animal hide. The wear patterns on the replicas were also similar to the wear observed on the original open rings.

Archaeologist Pierre Cattelain, who specializes in Paleolithic hunting, described the new study as fascinating. He had previously suggested in the 1990s that the open rings could be finger loops for spearthrowers, but this hypothesis was not widely accepted at the time. Cattelain supports the interpretation and conclusion of the current research.

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